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The Heart of Mission
January 26, 2021
The picture above is a beautiful batik table cloth given to World Mission recently by our Indonesian mission co-worker, Farsijanna Adeney-Risakotta. It was part of a product basket that several of us evaluated for her. I had a wonderful email this week from her. She is at home in California for a few more months and was able to preached this past Sunday at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Santa Cruz, California. Included in that worship is not only her sermon on Jonah but also a video about the House of Authentic Sense Co-op which produced the product basket. The Co-op brings people together from Muslim and Christian faiths, provided microfinance loans, and helps them improve their skills and communication. Click this https://vimeo.com/504197123 to view the worship service.
Some of us will hopefully be zooming with her in February to continue our work evaluating some of their products. Six of our mission team have evaluated the HAS products and hopefully will be able to introduce some of them to you later on in the year.
Opportunity International has called us to “pay attention” to the impact COVID 19 has had around the world. The impact is staggering. This very informative article tells more. Please take time and read it. Just click this
https://opportunity.org/news/blog/2021/january/the-pandemics-we-dont-see?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=11921%20-%20Pandemic%20Blog&utm_content=11921%20-%20Pandemic%20Blog+CID_0477ce56cf664befeb4bfb85da634d4f&utm_source=Campaign%20Monitor&utm_term=KEEP%20READING
Our prayers go out to our sister congregation in Luyano. Silvia Fonden, the cook for the Luyano congregation’s community breakfast program, mother of Norka, an elder in the Luyano congregation, and friend to many, died this past week. Many of First Presbyterian Church groups met and were fed by Silvia. Our hearts go out to Norka and the congregation.
On the home front, Salt & Light sent us some helpful information on what to donate and what not to donate to them. They cannot accept food; although, you can purchase food from their grocery department and they welcome this. They can accept a variety of clothing and household items. Click this https://mailchi.mp/5c89fe422a7f/looking-to-donate-goods-we-can-help?e=5b98f48e06 to read more about that.
And, our prayers are focused on CU at Home right now as they are nearing their One Winter’s Night. They are in the midst of their hard Winter months right now. Pray for the Box Dwellers who are participating in One Winter’s Night CU at Home’s annual and very important fundraiser. Click this
https://www.cuathome.us/box-dwellers/#:~:text=C%2DU%20at%20Home%20One%20Winter,even%20in%20your%20own%20home.
to read more about Box Dwellers for One Winter’s Night.
We pray for our friends without an address who are struggling with homelessness and relapses. We celebrate with CU at Home that they have finished the construction on Austin’s Place and now are helping our female friends without an address. We celebrate with those friends who addressing the underlying issues of substance abuse; sometimes it takes several tries before a success can happen. We celebrate with the friends who are able to move on to taking care of their own apartment.
Our Environmental Stewardship Committee is talking about Earth Day and Earth Sunday already, April 22 and 25. Spring is just around the corner. They heard from Rev. Cindy Shepherd from Faith in Place at their last meeting. Anyone interested in the Clean Energy Jobs Act, or learning more about how citizens can act toward environmental justice, was invited to register for a webinar on Jan. 28 at https://www.faithinplaceaction.org/ Find the tab that says Events for the link.
Peace,
Rev. Dr. Rachel Matthews, Mission Coordinator
Let us keep all our mission partners in our prayers, those who are waiting to go back to their place of ministry and those who are able to work where they are. Listen for God’s call to you in their ministry.
Our PC(USA) Mission CoWorkers:
Mark Adams and Miriam Maidonado Escobar (Mexico)
Farsijanna Adeney-Risakotta (Indonesia)
Jeff and Christi Boyd (Central Africa)
Bob and Kristi Rice (South Sudan)
Our regional and global mission partners:
Kemmerer Village (and Camp Carew)
Lifeline Pilots
Marion Medical Mission
Mission Aviation Fellowship
Opportunity International
Friends of Presbyterian Education Board in Pakistan Presbyterian Cuba Partnership
Special Offerings of the PC(USA)
Theological Education Fund
Young Adult Volunteers
Here in Champaign – Urbana:
CU at Home
CANAAN S.A.F.E. HOUSE
CANTEEN RUN
COURAGE CONNECTION
DREAAM
eMPTY TOMB, INC
FAITH IN ACTION
JESUS IS THE WAY PRISON MINISTRY
THE REFUGEE CENTER
RESTORATION URBAN MINISTRY
SALT & LIGHT
Here at First Presbyterian Church
FPCC Amateur Preachers
FPCC Environmental Committee working with Faith in Place
FPCC Presbyterian Women
FPCC ESL
FPCC Children, Youth and Families
FPCC Mission Possible/Go and Serve
FPCC Mission Team, World Mission and Community Mission Deacons
302 W. Church Street
Champaign, IL 61820
217-356-7238
info@firstpres.church
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